Junior Mechanical Test Engineer

00180 Dynetics, Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Junior Mechanical Test Engineer to support structural testing of mechanical components and assemblies within defense programs.

You will develop test plans, execute tests, analyze data, and communicate findings to engineering teams. This role requires collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines and offers exposure to aerospace-grade test environments and complex integration challenges.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited B.S. or equivalent in mechanical engineering.
• 2+ years in mechanical engineering, structural testing, or related field.
• Solid knowledge of statics, dynamics, strength of materials, and deflection.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Ability to work autonomously while following procedures and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, execution, and evaluation of structural tests for mechanical components.
• Develop and review test plans, procedures, and data collection requirements.
• Identify unexpected structural behavior and test anomalies.
• Support system-level integration and test activities.
• Translate requirements into executable test procedures.
• Prepare test reports with results, anomalies, and recommendations.
• Maintain records of hardware config, test conditions, calibration, and deviations.

Skills

Communication

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Statics & Dynamics

Strength of materials

Troubleshooting

Data interpretation

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Data acquisition systems

Instrumentation installation

Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Are you ready for your next career challenge?

Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large‑scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

Leidos Defense, Systems Integration and Test Team, is seeking a Junior Mechanical Test Engineer. We are a diverse team that works to implement unique solutions for complex problems in the defense sector, including but not limited to kinetic and directed energy defensive and offensive platforms as well as RADAR and other surveillance and sensor technologies. Our team works across multiple business sectors, with industry partners, and directly with the customer. We strive to have a variety of skillsets personally and across the team to meet the needs of our customers.

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones that disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the planning, preparation, execution, and evaluation of structural tests for mechanical components, assemblies, support structures, data collection, technical reporting, and integrated hardware.
• Develop and review structural test plans, test procedures, work instructions, and data collection requirements.
• Identify unexpected structural behavior, excessive deformation, abnormal loading, fixture movement, fastener or joint issues, and other test anomalies.
• Support system‑level integration and test activities to verify that mechanical hardware, subsystems, and associated interfaces function as intended within the overall system.
• Translate system requirements, interface control documents, engineering specifications, and verification plans into executable mechanical and system‑level test procedures.
• Support integration of mechanical assemblies with electrical, electronic, actuation, control, and other subsystem elements as applicable to the test article.
• Support system‑level environmental, dynamic, vibration, shock, or other qualification and verification activities when required by the program.
• Participate in test readiness reviews, integration reviews, test conduct meetings, and post‑test assessments.
• Prepare test reports documenting objectives, test articles, configurations, instrumentation, procedures, results, anomalies, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintain accurate records of hardware configuration, test conditions, equipment setup, calibration status, procedural deviations, and test results.
• Communicate technical findings and potential risks to engineering leads, program stakeholders, and cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to evaluate mechanical configurations, fixtures, interfaces, and load application arrangements for suitability in a test environment.
• Develop or deploy mechanical instrumentation, measurement equipment, data acquisition systems, and test data interpretation.
• Conduct troubleshooting of mechanical hardware and test anomalies using a systematic, data‑driven engineering approach.

Basic Qualifications

• ABET accredited B.S. or equivalent degree in mechanical engineering or closely related engineering discipline.
• Two or more years of relevant engineering experience in mechanical engineering, structural testing, system integration and test, hardware verification, or a related technical field
• Working knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals, including statics, dynamics, strength of materials, stress and strain, load transfer, stiffness, and deflection.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across mechanical, systems, electrical, manufacturing, and test engineering disciplines.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while maintaining adherence to approved procedures, safety practices, and quality requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting or supporting structural load, proof load, stiffness, deflection, or other structural integrity tests.
• Experience with strain measurement, load measurement, displacement monitoring, accelerometers, and instrumentation installation.
• Experience developing or modifying structural test fixtures, mechanical interfaces, support structures, and load application hardware.
• Experience with system‑level integration and test of complex mechanical assemblies or electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with system verification and validation, requirements traceability, interface verification, and formal test procedures.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, configuration management, discrepancy reporting, root‑cause analysis, and corrective‑action processes.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other environments with formal engineering, configuration control, and quality requirements.

Pay Range: Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That we craft compensation packages reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive a email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.